A few months ago, my husband "tidied" up my candle collection so I have no idea where they all are. While I got away with buying some new ones in the run-up to spooky season as I always need some autumn fragrances, I was then told that I was not allowed any more candles until I used up some of the ones I already had (I should point out that I very rarely get put on a purchase ban as my husband understands that I work hard for my money and will buy what I want).
As someone who likes a good range of fragrances to choose from, the candles I did have access to were not nearly enough to keep me satisfied. However, I did have 200 tealight candles to get through, so I figured I could bend the rules and buy some wax melts instead.
Of course, I wasn't satisfied with simply buying some standard wax melts from my local supermarket – not least because most of them smell horrific – so I started exploring Etsy. I have to give props to Etsy's algorithm for quickly figuring me out because in no time at all, I was being recommended nerdy candles and wax melts.
This is how I discovered Wax Witchery.
Because the melts are handmade, what is available can change a lot from week to week, but I was lucky enough to discover the store when there were a lot of Lord of the Rings-inspired options. The result was that I ordered six difference fragrances right off the bat at the start of October.
Since then, I have placed a further six orders (although one was a gift for someone) as I have been so thoroughly impressed.
The melts can take a couple of weeks to arrive, which I'm totally happy with, because they are handmade to order. I also know that quality is a big thing for the shop owner as they messaged me about one of the melts I'd ordered as they weren't happy with how it had turned out so wanted to offer me the chance to choose something different. When this happens, you know you're going to get something great.
Every bar 60g with five segments to be snapped off and is advertised as offering 20 hours of fragrance, although in my experience this is a big underestimation. I generally melt one segment at a time and let it burn for 8-10 hours (generally two good quality tealights per segment), getting fragrance throughout the whole time. While the scent is weaker at the end of this time, it is still there, so you definitely get more than 20 hours of fragrance.
What I really love is that the fragrance descriptions are accurate, so you really do know what you're going to get. I've used wax melts before that smell totally different to how I expected them to, Wax Witchery's melts just smell better than I expect.
On top of stunning fragrances that have a wonderful natural quality, the fragrance throw of the melts is amazing. When I burn them in my office, which is quite open, you can smell them across the rest of the house. Even my husband has had to admit that he prefers them to candles and always enjoys choosing one to melt in the evening.
While they are all beautiful and there hasn't been one I don't like (even the more floral and fruity ones, which aren't usually my cup of tea), I do have to admit that I have some favourites that I never want to be without now:
- Bag End - This says it smells of comfort, which is definitely he case.
- Samwise - This one is rose and rhubarb and smells absolutely divine.
- Bilbo's Birthday - Anything that smells like fireworks and fun is a winner!
- The Burrow - Warmth, comfort and tasty food rolled into one.
- Thor - I'm pretty certain this is exactly what Chris Hemsworth smells like.
Although these are my personal favourites, I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of Wax Witchery's melts and I can't wait to try more of the seasonal options this year. If you're looking for a nerdy gift or an alternative to candles, I really can't recommend this store enough (and no, this isn't a sponsored post, I'm just obsessed).